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Alaska

Alaska's Inside Passage Up Close

Program No. 11479RJ
The mighty glaciers and dramatic fjords of Alaska’s Inside Passage are incredible. Aboard an expedition ship, learn about this untamed land and its stunning diversity of wildlife.
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Outdoor AdventuresSmall ShipAdventures Afloat Study CruiseMost PopularNature & Environment
Length
10 days
Rating (4.83)
Activity Level
Starts at
10,499
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
25 meals ( 9B, 7L, 9D )
7 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. If you arrive before your room is ready, you may store your luggage at the hotel until check-in is available.
Afternoon:
All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). This may mean that free time in port is limited. Regardless of the time in port, Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment and beginning at 4:00 p.m., come over to the Road Scholar table outside the meeting room, to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Following dinner we'll have a brief introduction to the program. A more in depth orientation will take place the next morning. Evenings aboard the ship will include a debrief of the days activities as well as preparation for the next days activities. We'll also enjoy various Alaskan stories each night as a way to wind down after the long day. Durations of hikes will be dependent on the group pace and ability level, which can vary. Unless specified otherwise, transportation on land will be provided primarily by motorcoach, requiring the going up/down of a few steps when getting on/off. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free Time and “At Leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions for activities. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach. Walking as much as you like on groomed trails at Sitka National Historical Park. Sitting during raptor presentation. Standing as long as you like at the museum. Walking as much as you like on paved walkways during free time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any program changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. After bringing our luggage down and checking out of the hotel, we'll board a motorcoach and make our way to the Alaska Raptor Center. Here we'll witness all of the wonderful work this place is doing to rehabilitate the local raptors. Following our tour of the Alaska Raptor Center, we will have the chance to explore the historic Sitka National Historical Park. One of Alaska's most charming communities, Sitka lies in a protected harbor rich in natural resources and has a complex history dating back over 8,000 years beginning with the Kiksadi Tlingit people as the native residents. Serious Russian interest began in 1725 when they began to explore the Pacific coast of North America until they eventually established, after much fighting with the Tlingit people, Sitka as an administrative center. Next, we'll make out way to Sitka's Centennial Hall where the Sitka History Museum is located. We'll explore the exhibits and learn about the history of Sitka and its surrounding areas. This collection was developed in the 1950s and has grown to include over 8,000 artifacts as well as nearly 25,000 historical photographs, and 100,000 archival documents that range from the 1740s to present day.
Lunch:
At the Alaskan Dream Cruise Hospitality Suite, we’ll choose from a selection of pre-made sandwiches along with dessert items, fresh fruit and sodas, water, coffee and tea.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take the afternoon to explore Sitka on your own. You're group leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Following our free afternoon we'll meet back at the hotel where we'll board a motorcoach that will take us to the dock. We will then board our vessel and begin our journey along Alaska's Inside Passage. After boarding, we will meet the Captain and crew and have an orientation session outlining safety procedures as we get underway.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear an Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible. Rest up for another full day tomorrow.
Activity Note
Walking with guide 1 mile on a maintained road. There are some hills. A bus is available for those who don't want to walk. Sitting or standing throughout the guided visit.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
This morning we arrive in Kake. Of the twenty largest islands in the United States, seven of them are in Southeast Alaska. At 1,086 square miles, Kupreanof Island is 13th largest, yet fewer than 600 people call the island home. Most of them live in the city of Kake, a mostly Tlingit village situated on the island’s northwest shore. Arriving in Kake, we will be met by a local guide who will show us the significant cultural sites in Kake including the world’s tallest, single-tree totem pole. This totem pole was raised in 1971 and stands at 136 feet tall. Then we’ll make our way to the town gym where we’ll have a chance to interact with local artists and view their arts and crafts.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we’ll cruise along Frederick Sound which is known for it's whale viewing opportunities. We will spend the afternoon cruising through this delightful and lovely, yet rarely visited part of Alaska. View the temperate rainforest, waterfalls, and pristine beaches from the comfort of the ship, scan the skies for birds and the shores for wildlife.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear an Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible. Rest up for another full day tomorrow.
Activity Note
Levels of activity are dependent on personal preference. Option to kayak - climbing in and out of kayak with assistance. Kayak groups will be led by staff. Option to hike- it will last approx. 1 hour and distance covered is dependent on pace of group. Hike takes place on maintained USFS trail with moderate incline and is led by staff. Walking distance in town based on personal preference.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Today we’ll visit the small fishing town of Petersburg. Located on Mitkof Island and founded in the late 1800’s, Petersburg is known as Alaska’s “Little Norway”. As you explore the town, notice the Scandinavian influence from Norwegian rosemaling on the store fronts, to the brightly painted homes, to the Sons of Norway Hall. The captain will select the activities for the day based on the weather and sea conditions.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue the mornings activities after lunch.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear an Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible. Rest up for another full day tomorrow.
Activity Note
Climbing up and down steep stairs to get to the deck for wildlife viewing. Climbing in and out of the 22 foot skiff for tours (weather permitting).
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Perhaps Alaska’s most scenic fjord, Tracy Arm, a photographer’s paradise, is a narrow inlet of ocean running between cliffs or steep slopes. Tracy Arm twists and turns for more than 30 miles through some of the most dramatically scenic landscapes anywhere, dotted with thousands of icebergs from twin glaciers -- North Sawyer and South Sawyer -- at the end of the fjord. There will be many opportunities for wildlife viewing. Along the way, our staff will narrate and point out the highlights. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we will also have the opportunity to ride the DIB with our expert leaders to explore either the terrain.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll wind our way back down the arm, pausing to view some of the spectacular waterfalls that spill out of the granite cliffs along the fjord. As we depart from Tracy Arm, we will head into Frederick Sound to scout for humpback whales and other marine mammals in these world-renowned whale waters.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear an Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible. Rest up for another full day tomorrow.
Activity Note
Levels of activity are dependent on personal preference. Option for DIB ride - climbing up/down ladder to get to loading dock. Climbing in and out of 22 foot DIB with assistance from crew. Option to kayak - climbing in and out of kayak with assistance. Kayak groups will be led by staff. Option to take a walk on the shore- distance covered is dependent on pace of group. The walk will be a bit rocky and will be led by staff.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Today depending on weather and sea conditions, the captain will make the best location choice for exploring. We'll have the chance to explore the area via kayak, DIB ride, or shore walk.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore the area, watching for marine animals, wildlife, and the pristine Tongass National Forest.
Dinner:
Tonight we will have dinner off the ship at Orca Point Lodge.
Evening:
Take a stroll on the private rocky beach and, if weather permits, enjoy a bonfire on the beach. We’ll then board the ship for the evening.
Activity Note
Climbing up and down steep stairs on the ship to get to the different deck levels for wildlife viewing.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Birders and wildlife watchers will want to be up and out on decks as we enter Glacier Bay early this morning. The NPS citation reads, “Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site — one of the world’s largest international protected areas.” The entrance to Glacier Bay teems with wildlife, particularly sea birds. This is also an area frequented by feeding humpback whales. The Huna Tlingit people once lived here and consider it their spiritual homeland.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our study cruise exploration of Glacier Bay National Park, the crown jewel of Southeast Alaska considered by many to be the United States’ Number 1 national park. Glacier Bay boasts the largest number of tidewater glaciers in North America, the 15,000-foot Fairweather Mountain range, some of the most stunning scenery anywhere, and a prolific amount wildlife including humpback whales, sea otters, puffins, mountain goats and much more, often amid calving icebergs. Watch for all these wonders from the deck of the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear one last Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible.
Activity Note
Getting on/off street cars. Minimal walking on sidewalks and city streets. Train ride is approx. 40 miles roundtrip; about 3.5 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Making our way up the spectacular Taiya Inlet, we’ll dock in Skagway. This famous gold rush town is also home to Klondike National Historic Park, which owns and has restored many of the buildings. We will take a narrated shuttle from the ship to the White Pass Railway depot, board the train, and take a narrated ride on rails up to the White Pass summit located in British Columbia, Canada, with spectacular views along the way. This narrow gauge railway route was built during the Klondike Gold Rush. Its proposed 110-mile journey through coastal mountains was considered impossible but became a reality in only 26 months of construction from 1898-1900. The railway operated as a business until 1982, then re-opened in 1988 for seasonal excursions.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The ship is scheduled to depart mid to late afternoon. Please make sure you confirm the ships departure time with the group leader.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
After dinner gather in the lounge to hear an Alaskan "bedtime story". If you would rather listen from the comfort of your cabin, the intercom makes that possible. Rest up for another full day tomorrow.
Activity Note
Climbing on and off a motorcoach. Walking distance is based on personal preference.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
After disembarking the ship we will take a field trip to one of Alaska’s extraordinary natural wonders: the Mendenhall Glacier. This river of ice is one of 38 large glaciers that flow from the 1,500 square mile Juneau ice field formed about 3,000 years ago. The glacier stretches 12 miles from the ice field down to its terminus at Mendenhall Lake. The glacier and surrounding area are protected by the National Forest Service as part of Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S., encompassing 17 million acres. The Visitor Center offers magnificent views of the Glacier and the lake, many displays and presentations, a short movie, and hiking trails. National Forest Service interpretive rangers will be available to provide information and answer questions as we explore independently. We’ll then explore Juneau via motorcoach as our driver provides commentary on our surroundings and the local history. Originating with the Alaska Gold Rush in 1880, the miners’ tent camp grew into a small town and then kept growing as mines produced millions of dollars in gold well into the 20th Century. Tourism expanded as adventure travelers were attracted by the surrounding old-growth forests, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, salmon streams, bear habitat, and migratory whale routes. En route, we will pass the Capitol Building and the governor’s mansion, among other city highlights. Following our exploration of Juneau, we will head to the Alaska State Museum for a self-directed exploration of the Museum, which is the repository for the state's history, highlighting the distinct native cultures of Alaska.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take the afternoon to explore Juneau on your own. You're group leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner we'll enjoy a wrap up discussion as we share favorite memories of the program with our new friends and fellow participants Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. You will receive a voucher to enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant. This concludes our program. If your flight is early causing you to miss the hotel breakfast, a boxed breakfast will be provided for you.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Aug 22, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025 (Juneau, AK to Sitka, AK)
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
May 22, 2026 - May 31, 2026 (Juneau, AK to Sitka, AK)
Jun 26, 2026 - Jul 05, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Jul 10, 2026 - Jul 19, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Aug 07, 2026 - Aug 16, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Sep 04, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Sep 5 - Sep 14, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This departure starts in Sitka and ends in Juneau.